ACR 127, as introduced, Bonta. Bataan Death March Veterans Commemoration Day.
This measure would declare April 9, 2014, and every April 9 thereafter, as Bataan Death March Veterans Commemoration Day.
Fiscal committee: no.
P1 1WHEREAS, On April 9, 1942, during World War II, the
2Japanese Army forced 78,000 Filipino and American soldiers to
3march 82 miles from Bataan to Camp O’Donnell; and
4WHEREAS, These soldiers endured brutal conditions and
5suffered heinous war crimes along the march; and
6WHEREAS, Approximately 10,000 soldiers, both Filipino and
7American, lost their lives during the march; and
8WHEREAS, The Bataan Death March was the greatest loss of
9American and Filipino prisoners of war during World War II; and
10WHEREAS, Californians owe a debt of gratitude to the soldiers
11who gave up their freedom and perished in service of their countries
12to preserve our freedoms and our lives; and
13WHEREAS, Knowledge of this historic event is passing out of
14living memory as survivors pass away; and
P2 1WHEREAS, The sacrifices made by American and Filipino
2veterans during the Bataan Death March have received little state
3recognition in California; and
4WHEREAS, The United States Federal Government annually
5recognizes April 9th as National Former Prisoner of War Day;
6now, therefore, be it
7Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
8thereof concurring, That the Legislature declares that a day be set
9aside for appreciation of the veterans of the Bataan Death March
10and a memoriam of the deceased; and be it further
11Resolved, That April 9, 2014, and each 9th day of April
12hereafter, is hereby designated and commemorated as Bataan Death
13March Veterans Commemoration Day; and be it further
14Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies
15of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
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